Leaf collection

KITCHENER — The City of Kitchener’s drop-off sites for fall leaves are now open and will be in operation until the end of November. The sites are open seven days a week during daylight hours. Residents are urged to de-bag their leaves at the site. Plastic bags are considered illegal and you are liable to fine for illegal dumping. The city says it will take a zero-tolerance approach with any offenders. The drop-off locations are:

• Schaeffer Park on Bloomingdale Road.

Breithaupt Park off Union Street.

Kitchener Auditorium, at the Ottawa Street North entrance.

Meinzinger Park soccer fields on Homer Watson Boulevard.

Lions Arena on Rittenhouse Road.

Southwest Optimist Sportsfield on Pioneer Drive.

Cherry Park at Strange Street and Waverly Road.

Victoria Street South at Eastforest Trail.

Hofstetter Park at 40 Hofstetter Ave.

The city urges residents to mulch leaves with mowers when possible, compost leaves on their own properties, bag leaves for pickup as yard waste on designated days. In designated neighbourhoods only, you can rake leaves to the curb for pick during specified weeks. For more information go to www.kitchener.caor call 519-741-2345.

In Waterloo loose-leaf collection begins Oct. 29. Rake leaves onto the road, as close to the curb as possible. If you miss the collection take leaves to the landfill site at 925 Erb St. for composting, or bag them for yard waste pickup, which runs every other week until mid-November.

In Cambridge, loose-leaf collection begins Nov. 5 and runs to the end of the month. Leaf vacuum trucks will operate throughout the city. Residents are asked to wait until just before Nov. 5 before raking leaves to the curb, but not onto the road. Watch for notices on the city’s websiteor call 519-621-0740 for the dates when vacuum trucks will be in your neighbourhood.